Reunion of a second chance

Chapter 6

Hi, I'm posting two chapters today since I won't have any internet connection tomorrow. So you won't get any new chapter from me tomorrow, but after that I'll get on the regular upload schedule. Enjoy!

The Blind Concubine's heart was full of sorrow and compassion for the unfortunate soul who could not talk. He himself also lacked one vital part of his senses and thus could understand just how hard it would be for someone who could not express themselves properly. It would always be a very sore point.

"That is quite alright, do not worry," he reassured the mysterious person. "You are very ingenious with taking a chime as your voice. It sounds lovely."

The said chime rang and it truly was music for the ears. It seemed like the other person was quite happy that the Blind Concubine did not question them any further. They touched the Blind Concubine's hand gently.

At first, the Blind Concubine thought that it was their way to express their thanks. And it probably was. He only did not expect to be handed the chime over for inspection.

He touched it gently and oh so carefully. He could understand that this chime meant the world to the other person. The Blind Concubine assumed that it was a treasure for them, just like his own voice was for him.

Moreover, it must have been exquisite. Not that the Blind Concubine could see it of course, but he could tell by the intricate carvings all around it. It seemed to have been made from glass or a polished jade stone or some other similarly smooth material. The Blind Concubine caressed the chime for a while, discovering its design and then handed it back over to the other person.

"Thank you for letting me touch your voice," the Blind Concubine said kindly. The person must have realized that he could not see and that was why they have let them hold their small treasure.

"Did I feel correctly that it is shaped as a lotus?"

Although the Blind Concubine's wish to talk with someone could not be granted as per say, he was still happy to have someone so close to him. He had not spoken in what felt like an eternity. Even though he would not get true replies to his words, he still was glad for any kind of interaction which would help him keep his memories and nightmares at bay.

The chime rung once. Such a clear and resolute sound. The person must have been telling him that he had been right, the chime was indeed an intricate little lotus.

The Blind Concubine was overjoyed. He had longed for company for so long that it was actually making him dizzy to finally get it. He wanted to talk a little bit longer before the person would disappear again.

"It is white?" he asked, hoping to draw the other person into a conversation.

This time, the chime sounded twice. A rebuttal of his statement or so the Blind Concubine guessed. It seemed like it was ringing once for yes and twice for no. He hoped that he had gotten it right.

"No? So pink perhaps?"

A single clear sound. The chime was pink then. The Blind Concubine tried to imagine it based on what he had felt with his hands. The image truly looked breath-taking.

***

The Emperor was furious. He was overjoyed. He was sad. He wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. He could not quite tell which of his emotions were the strongest nor what he should do.

He watched the Blind Concubine immediately perking up when knowing that someone – even someone who would not truly talk to him - was there with him. He was internally cursing himself for not realizing this earlier.

He should have too. The Emperor had after all seen the Blind Concubine when he had first come to the Cold palace and talked with him. He knew fully well that the Blind Concubine had been lonely back then and had wanted nothing more than to talk with someone. The Blind Concubine's greatest wish at that time had been to leave the palace so he could walk around in a busy town and talk with people.

The Emperor should have really realized this earlier. The Blind Concubine was withering away because he was lonely beyond belief.

The Emperor assumed that it was just normal. He would have been lonely too if he was to spend all his days for the last two years in complete isolation. The Blind Concubine could not see and it should have only added to his isolation. Not only that, The Emperor did not let anyone talk to the Blind Concubine all this time, too afraid of his little trick being revealed.

In the past, the loneliness had been bearable for the Blind Concubine because he had had his cat and his servant with him. But not anymore, the cat was dead, poisoned by the Emperor's mother, and the servant was sent away by none other than the Blind Concubine himself. With no one to ever talk to, the Blind Concubine must have truly been extremely lonely.

The Emperor now resented and regretted his previous decision. He should have assigned some servants, or perhaps even common folks, to keep the Blind Concubine company. If they were very careful, the Blind Concubine would not notice anything strange. They could have said that they were from nearby village or something.

Unknowingly, he had tortured his beloved Blind Concubine again.

The Emperor was scowling harshly as he tried his best to talk with the Blind Concubine without using his words. The chime in his hands was now his only means of communication. He could not understand how it could be bearable for someone to be truly mute – or blind, or disabled in any other way really –, it was extremely frustrating.

The Emperor also felt very helpless which was something he did not experience often. Only when it came to the Blind Concubine.

But at least he had accomplished something. The Blind Concubine was not laying lifelessly on the divan anymore. He was sitting propelled against the armrest and chatting happily to him.

The Emperor could not shake off his surprise. The Blind Concubine should have been wary of strangers. He should have been afraid that they came to hurt him or take him back to the palace. Yet, here he was, chatting happily with the Emperor.

It was also very surprising how the Blind Concubine managed to immediately understand the Emperor's situation, albeit fictive one. The Blind Concubine was only asking questions which the Emperor could answer by ringing the chime once or twice. He was still getting used to it.

To say that the Emperor was comfortable right now would be a great lie. He felt his heart breaking seeing the Blind Concubine this weak and yet trying his best to accommodate the needs of others. The Blind Concubine had always been like that, meek, sweet and always gentle.

Only when it came to the person who had hurt him the most and took away his sight forever would he become cold and would he hold deep hatred in his heart. This was what the Emperor regretted the most. He wanted the Blind Concubine to forgive him. He wanted him to be happy by his side as he had once been before he had discovered the Emperor's true identity.

This whole situation was just too pitiful for words. Both for the Emperor himself and for the Blind Concubine. They were apparently both hurting. Would they ever be able to go back to those happy days? The Emperor had no idea.